One of the leading figures in early l9th Century Warren was Elam Genung, a Methodist preacher and shopkeeper who was largely instrumental in founding both the Union Village and Mount Horeb Methodist churches. Elam Genung was born May 27, l796, in Genungtown [now eastern Madison], the son of Stephen. The family, prominent in Morris County, was of French descent, tracing its ancestry to Jean Guenon of Flushing, New York. The family surname was pronounced "Je-nung," with a soft "g." When he was 18 Elam enlisted at Madison in Capt. Luke Carter's company of riflemen, 3rd N.J. Regiment, and served from Sept. l to Dec. 2, l814, probably at Sandy Hook. Genung most likely moved to Warren in l820 when he married Elizabeth [Betsy] Tucker [1801-1833], daughter of Joseph and Deborah. Soon after Elam set up a general store in his home at No. 8 Mountain Ave. [then called the road to Mt. Bethel], the crossroads of Mountain Ave. and Hillcrest Rd came to be known as Genung's Corner. Only in his mid-twenties, Genung was quickly acknowledged as a man of character and ability. Warren's first post office was established on Feb. 23, l828, when Genung was appointed postmaster by President John Quincy Adams. In l828, l829 and l830, the voters of Warren Township elected him to the local governing body. Genung was also a lay Methodist preacher of considerable energy. The history of the Mt. Horeb Methodist Church records that Genung preached at the western end of the township in private homes as early as 1820. In l825 Genung, his father-in-law, Joseph Tucker, and others founded the Union Village Methodist Church, which was built next to Genung's store on land deeded to the church trustees by Elam and Betsy. In l832 Betsy, Elam and their five surviving children [John, William, Phebe, Frances and Louise] pulled up stakes and moved to Gibson County, Indiana. By deed dated Aug. 3, l832, the Genungs sold 24 acres to Jonathan Stephens of Lodi for $1100. The land [no doubt the store was included] was described as being on the "road leading from New Providence past where David D. Smalley dec'd Esq. lived..." bounded by Jonathan Baker, John Tilyou, William Titus, George Townley, Enos B. Townley, Jonathan Baker and the Tier Line. Three years after Betsy died in l833, Elam married her sister, Susan Tucker. He died Nov. 5, 1845, in Indiana. She survived him by 36 years. [REF: Genung-Ganong-Ganung Genealogy by Mary J. G. Nichols, N.Y., 1906; Deeds M190 M191] |